| Originally a small fishing village, the city of Oostende | | | | the Museum of Modern Art you can see a wide |
| received its city charter in the 13th century and now | | | | range of paintings, sculptures and objects from |
| has a population of 91,000 people, the largest | | | | Belgium's recent history. Other places are the |
| population on the Belgian coast. Set half way along | | | | Museum Sint-Pieterstoren, the Museum of Religious |
| the 40 mile Belgian coastline, it became popular as a | | | | Arts, the North Sea Aquarium and the Schooner |
| resort in the 19th century, when Kings Leopold I and | | | | Mercator which is a former Merchant Navy training |
| II spent their summers there. During World War II | | | | ship now restored as a nautical museum. James Ensor |
| the city was badly bombed. | | | | House is where the famous impressionist painter lived. |
| The city is protected from the North Sea by a series | | | | One of the most popular places for families with |
| of large dikes built in the late 14th century. However, | | | | children is the Maria Hendrika Park. Here you will find |
| the city often fell victim to invading armies. Its | | | | minigolf, rowing and pedal boats, playgrounds and |
| importance as a harbour rose in the 18th and 19th | | | | woodland walks. Refreshments are available at the |
| centuries, and a railway link to Brussels was built in | | | | café. |
| 1838. In 1846 it became a transit harbour to England, | | | | You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour |
| sending its first ferry boat to Dover. Today, | | | | around the city, where you will be shown the |
| hundreds of passengers travel between Oostende | | | | interesting sights of the city. |
| and England in a space of just two hours, which | | | | Food & Drink: |
| makes it a good weekend resort for British travellers. | | | | Whatever kind of food or restaurant you are looking |
| Named 'The Queen of the Belgian sea-side Resorts, | | | | for you are likely to find it here. Oostende has plenty |
| Oostende boasts a long and sandy beach and is a | | | | of restaurants, cafes, bars and taverns both within |
| popular beach resort for locals as well as visitors to | | | | its lively city centre, and along the promenade. |
| Belgium, many of whom come to surf and sail. The | | | | Wherever you go, you will find kiosks selling mussels, |
| old town and fishing harbour are popular attractions, | | | | fresh fish restaurants, and the ice cream is not to be |
| and Oostende has much to offer in the way of | | | | missed. |
| shopping, eating and entertainment. | | | | There are several bars selling real ale, including the |
| Places of interest: | | | | Café Botteltje and the Ostens Bierhuus. |
| The twin-towered church of St Peter & Saint Paul, | | | | Oostende also has a selection of English style pubs. |
| close to the railway station, is a neo-gothic building | | | | One of the most popular restaurants in the city is |
| built of sandstone in 1904-5. It houses the mausoleum | | | | the James Tavern in James Ensor Galerij 34, off |
| of Queen Louise-Marie, Belgium's first Queen, who | | | | Vlaanderenstraat. In its friendly atmosphere, you can |
| died in 1850 in Oostende. | | | | sample a wide range of local cuisine, including their |
| The 'Fort Napoleon', north of the city centre, is the | | | | specialty, garnaalkroketten, or shrimp croquettes. |
| only Napoleonic fortress still intact in the whole of | | | | Of course, Oostende's best-loved food is fresh fish, |
| Europe. Built by Napoleon during the French | | | | and you do not have to look too far to find a wide |
| occupation in 1810 and completed in 1812, it housed | | | | choice of places specialising in seafood. One of the |
| 260 soldiers. In the Second World War it was used | | | | best fish restaurants is the Old Fisher on the |
| as a German barracks. | | | | Fisherman's Wharf. This has a relaxed but elegant |
| Between Oostende and Middelkerke, near the beach, | | | | atmosphere where you can sample a wide range of |
| lies a large group of dunes known as the 'Raversijde | | | | local fresh fish dishes. Another fish restaurant is the |
| Domain', which is a natural nature reserve. Here also | | | | David Dewaele, a family-run restaurant serving French |
| is the 'Atlantikwall', a complex of tunnels and bunkers | | | | cuisine and fish fresh from the North Sea. |
| built by occupying German troops in the First and | | | | Hotels & Accommodation |
| Second World Wars. Nearby is also an archaeological | | | | Alpha Hotel |
| site of a medieval fishing village from 13th to 15th | | | | Hotel Ter Kade |
| centuries. | | | | Royal Astrid |
| For garden lovers, the Japanese Garden in the | | | | Hotel Princess |
| Koningspark is worth a visit and can be found | | | | Hotel Burlington |
| opposite the swimming baths, near the sea wall. | | | | Ambassadeur |
| Things to do: | | | | Entertainment: |
| A walk along the splendidly clean and unspoilt beach, | | | | If you are seeking the local nightlife, the first place to |
| with a swim or paddle in the sea, is one of | | | | head for is Langestraat where you will find cabarets, |
| Oostende's pleasantest activities, but there are | | | | night clubs and bars, as well as the famous Kursaal |
| plenty of further activities in the centre and close to | | | | Oostende, one of the largest casinos in Europe. The |
| Oostende. | | | | casino contains gaming rooms, a concert hall where |
| Oostende has several shopping centres, including the | | | | you can regularly hear concerts, operettas and ballet, |
| traffic-free Kappellestraat, Adolf Buylstraat and Witte | | | | disco, rooftop restaurant and gaming rooms. |
| Nonnestraat. Also, at the Alfons Pieterslaan and the | | | | Many of the bars and pubs offer live performances, |
| Torhoutsesteenweg you can shop all year round. | | | | including jazz, blues or contemporary music. There are |
| Market day in Oostende is on Thursdays on the | | | | English pubs, at least one Irish pub, and, of course, |
| Wapenplein, Groentemarkt and Mijnplein. | | | | good strong beer. |
| For those interested in history and culture, Oostende | | | | Between May and September is the racing season |
| has several museums and galleries to visit. The | | | | and anyone interested in the sport must take a trip |
| Museum of Local History holds collections from the | | | | to Wellington Racecourse. |
| Neolithic and Roman times, a maritime section and | | | | Every year in the first week in March, Oostende |
| sections on the two world wars. The Museum of Fine | | | | holds a carnival with a different theme each time and |
| Arts holds works from the Belgian Masters, and at | | | | in October there is the annual fun-fair. |